Top 10: Disastrous Announcer Comments

When it comes to opinions on sports, everyone has their two cents worth.

While every Joe Sixpack would like a nickel for his thoughts, only professional analysts and commentators are paid a pretty penny to share their estimations and critiques on the subject.

But sometimes a criticism walks the tightrope of constructive and destructive, and a media figure spouts backhanded compliments, insensitive insults and slanderous statements.

These types of disdainful on-air remarks are typically followed by at least a tongue-lashing once the cameras turn off, and on occasion, a career-ending tongue tying.

Here are the top 10 disastrous announcer comments.

Number 10

Boomer Esiason

Dan Marino may be the best NFL quarterback to never win a Super Bowl, and while that thought likely pains him on a daily basis, it might sting just a little more when coworkers mention it on national television. That's what happened on the set of NFL Today when cohost Boomer Esiason claimed that Peyton Manning was this generation's version of Dan Marino.

Marino, who was seated two seats over from Esiason, just gave him a cold, blank stare. Marino can take solace in the fact that Esiason has zero Super Bowl rings on his fingers as well.

Number 9

Mike North

Jae Kuk Ryu likely felt terrible after his first-ever Major League Baseball start for the Chicago Cubs: He allowed four home runs and six earned runs. He probably felt much worse two days later when he heard local Chicago radio host Mike North make a racial slur in reference to him while wishing that the young South Korean would never pitch again.

Controversial comment: "Who was the Chinaman on the mound the other day? Whoever it was shouldn't wear a Major League uniform ever again. He was dreadful."

At first, North claimed that he didn’t know the term “Chinaman” was offensive — especially to a South Korean — and was later pressured into an apology.

Number 8

Keith Hernandez

Keith Hernandez may know a thing or two about getting to second base with Elaine Benes, but he struck out badly with the rest of the female gender when he made chauvinistic comments during a New York Mets broadcast. Hernandez, a commentator for SportsNet New York during Mets games, was astonished and reacted without regard when he saw a — gasp — female in the opposing San Diego Padres dugout.

Controversial comment: “Who is the girl in the dugout, with the long hair? What's going on here? You have got to be kidding me. Only player personnel in the dugout.”

The former Mets star later feigned an apology by stating: “You know I am only teasing. I love you gals out there — always have.” Something tells me that if a female butt was within arm’s reach during this apology, he would have slapped it.